The Curious Clinicians 89 - Tusks & Tumor Suppressors
May 15, 2024
Explore why elephants have lower cancer rates, the role of the P53 protein in cancer prevention, evolutionary tumor suppressors in marine mammals, and cancer resistance in naked mole rats and Tasmanian devils.
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Elephant Cancer Paradox
- Elephants have many cells and live long lives, which should raise their cancer risk.
- However, they get cancer much less often than expected, illustrating Peto's Paradox.
Understanding Peto's Paradox
- Larger animals like elephants have more cells and more opportunities for cancer mutations.
- Yet, cancer rates don't increase proportionally, which is known as Peto's Paradox.
TP53's Role in Cancer Suppression
- TP53 gene encodes the tumor suppressor protein P53, crucial for preventing cancer.
- P53 activates DNA damage response, pausing the cell cycle or inducing apoptosis.